Term 2 recap

Here is a quick recap of some of the many things we have been up to these days.

In Second Step, we completed our third unit on Emotion Management. We learned the calm down steps and brainstormed some positive self-talk to use when we are feeling worried, sad, angry, or frustrated.

In our integrated studies units, we completed our celebrations unit by writing about our understanding of the Chinese New Year. I have posted all of the students' written work on the bulletin board outside of our classroom and I am working on creating a photostory (where students will read their written work aloud) which I hope to post online sometime next week.  A big merci to M Bazin for working with us on this unit.  He has now moved on to teach in Grade 2. 

We have also been learning about our 5 senses (so far we have gotten through 3:  La vue, L'ouie, and L'odorat.)  We have been doing experiments and adding to a poster we created as we complete our learning on each sense.  We will be connecting our knowledge of our senses to other learning for the remainder of the year. 





In language, we have been exploring different sounds, and sight words, as well as learning many different reading strategies.  We practice these strategies through large group, small group work, individual activities, as well as  when reading with a partner, and reading to self.  The last few weeks we have learned that ai and ei make the same sound as è but that ai, er, and ez at the end of the word make the same sound as é (like the english ay in day). 

In writing, we have been evaluating different samples using a checklist that we created of what good writers do.  We have been placing the different samples along our writing continuum once we have evaluated how well the writer did.  Students will be asked this term to begin to evaluate their own writing in this same way. 

Orally, we have come so far this term in our speaking!  The students are doing an amazing job using their French to answer and ask questions and are even beginning to remember to speak to their peers in French without reminders!  In order to speed this along (and to work on some common errors in French), we created Pas d'excuses (No Excuses) lists in order to remind the students of words and expressions that they should be able to use in French without reminders or help, as well as some common errors that have been discussed at length that students should be applying when speaking (ie. not saying ma papa - they should be saying mon papa because papa is masculin). 

In math, we practiced counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s (using 100 charts and by counting a larger number of objects), and we explored different addition and subtraction stories to 10.  We also explored ways to make 5 and 10 (by adding and subtracting), and learned to represent numbers to 20 using a ten frame.   Next term, we will work on addition to and subtraction from 20, and we will learn about three-dimensional shapes. 

I am very proud of the class in their progress this term, and I am looking forward to seeing all of you for three-way conferences in order to celebrate your child's learning and set goals for the last few months of grade 1.